Pope Francis on Monday told thousands of young people who attended a prayer vigil in the Vatican to cast aside all fears and seek Jesus with all their hearts.
“Do not be discouraged: if you are afraid, put it to the light and it will do you good!” said the pontiff in an event that saw several teenagers share their experience of trials and faith, especially during the pandemic.
Pope Francis spoke to the young pilgrims about his joy at finally being able to host such a large group in St. Peter’s Square.
“Two years have passed with the square empty …. Today, all of you are together, coming from Italy, in the embrace of this square and in the joy of the Easter that we have just celebrated,” he said.
Pope Francis urged the young people to never lose hope.
“There are moments in which life puts us to the test and makes us feel the weight of our frailty,” said the pope. “We should not be afraid to say: ‘I’m afraid of the dark!’”
He said “Jesus conquered the darkness of death,” but added that “clouds” still “darken our time.”
Pope Francis noted that Europe is “experiencing a terrible war, while injustices and violence continue in many regions of the Earth that destroy man and the planet.”
He told the young people that “sometimes life puts us to the test, makes us touch our frailties, makes us feel naked, helpless, alone.”
“Fears must be said, fears must be expressed in order to be able to drive them away,” he said.
“In crises you have to talk, talk with the friend who can help me, with dad, mom, grandfather, grandmother, with the person who can help me. Crises must be illuminated to overcome them,” Pope Francis advised the teenagers.
“I would just like to say that it is important that you go forward,” he said.
“The fears? Illuminate them, tell them. Discouragement? Win it with courage, with someone to give you a hand. And the nose for life: don’t lose it, because it’s a beautiful thing,” said the pope.